Weather Topic: What is Hail?

Hail is a form of precipitation which is recognized by large solid balls or clumps of ice. Hail is created
by thunderstorm clouds with strong updrafts of wind. As the hailstones remain in the updraft, ice is deposited
onto them until their weight becomes heavy enough for them to fall to the earth's surface.

Hail storms can cause significant damage to crops, aircrafts, and man-made structures, despite the fact that the duration is
usually less than ten minutes.

Weather Topic: What is Rain?

Precipitation in the form of water droplets is called rain. Rain generally has a tendency to fall
with less intensity over a greater period of time, and when rainfall is more severe it is usually
less sustained.

Rain is the most common form of precipitation and happens with greater frequency
depending on the season and regional influences. Cities have been shown to have an observable
effect on rainfall, due to an effect called the urban heat island. Compared to upwind, monthly
rainfall between twenty and forty miles downwind of cities is 30% greater.